The Equality Authority has called for support for companies to make their workplaces more family friendly.
Speaking to mark Work Life Balance Day, Equality Authority chief Niall Crowley said it would be valuable if, during 2007, the focus on work life balance could include a commitment to addressing three core challenges in promoting work-life balance working arrangements.
Ibec director of social and education policy Tony Donohoe
"The first is to support companies to develop and implement work life balance arrangements that respond to business imperatives as well as contributing to employee well being and workplace equality; the second is to support companies to be planned and systematic in their approach to work life balance; The final challenge is to promote a policy context that is supportive of work life balance for all employees," he said.
Siptu, the State's largest union, said all workers should unite in support of the idea to "all workers, of whatever age, to achieve a good balance between paid work and other interests in their, lives".
Ibec, the business and employer group, said employers are recognising that long commutes, caring responsibilities and lack of personal time can interfere with employees' ability to perform.
Ibec said recruiting and retaining the best staff is a business challenge made easier by the introduction of work-life balance policies.
"Competition is intense for talented and motivated employees and with that in mind, many employers are taking innovative steps to help staff balance their work and non-working lives," said Tony Donohoe, Ibec's director of social and education policy.
Ibec has produced a manual for bosses outlining a range of flexible working arrangements, including job-sharing, flexi-time, career breaks, e-working and employee assistance programmes.
Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen unveiled two initiatives he said were aimed at assisting work-life balance at enterprise level.
The first initiative will see funding for consultancy support to facilitate work-life balance within enterprises.
The Minister also published a guide entitled Work Life Balance: A Planned and Systematic Approach at Enterprise Level. The guide provides practical advice aimed at assisting employers and employees in developing a planned and systematic approach to work life balance.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said that the ability to provide a high quality of working life distinguishes an employer of choice from its competitors.
"There is an increased need for flexibility in the workplace and both business and employees have to be able to adapt to new ways of working. I see work-life balance initiatives as an integral part of the drive for enterprises to become more flexible and innovative, " the Minister said.